NASA scientist explains why the world won't end in 2012

Why the world won’t end in 2012

Friday, Nov. 9, 2012

by Claiton Zanini Brusamarello, M.Sc.

NEW ORLEANS -- NASA released a video answer to the various “theories” that have become popular about the end of the world in December 2012. In it, Don Yeomans, a scientist at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, know among astronomy geeks as JPL, discusses each of the best-know hypotheses and explains why they will not materialize.

First, Yeomans explains that all this commotion surrounding Dec. 21, 2012 began with the Mayan calendar. But according to Yeomans, what is indicated on the calendar is the end of one cycle and the beginning of another, not the apocalypse. He compares it to the way we count years – every Dec. 31, a cycle ends, and another begins on Jan. 1.

After Yeomans talks about Nibiru, an apocryphal planet said to be four times larger than Earth, also known as “Planet X”. According to another apocalypse “theory.” Nibiru is on a collision course with Earth. To Yeomans, it is impossible that no one would have detected Nibiru approaching, if this were really happening. “There are people who believe that NASA is hiding this information. But there are thousands of astronomers outside the organization looking to the skies every day. Surely, they would have noticed this moment,” Yeomans said.

Another “hypothesis” is that a large solar storm will strike Earth on Dec. 21 frying us to a crisp. Solar storms really are becoming more frequent. This is because the sun goes through cycles, and the period of greatest activity is expected later this year and in early 2013.

Yeomans argue that, in fact, the solar maximum will occur only in May of next year, and even then, the activity should not be very intense. Basically, there is no evidence that solar storms, such as those that occurred during early March, may occur again anytime soon.

For those who believe the alignment of the planets will cause catastrophic change in the tides, Yeomans’ response is uncomplicated, “There is no alignment scheduled for the end of 2012. Even if there were a movement of this kind, no other planets could affect the tides. The only celestial bodies that are capable of doing this are the moon and sun”.

Yeomans ends his video by reminding us of the many unfulfilled end-of-the-world prophecies. “We are still here”, he says.